Sam's BA Professional Practice

Looking back at my diagram from Module One today and reading through the literature ' What Moves You, Shaping Your Dissertation in Dance' by Charlotte Nichol and Lise Utyyerhoeven sent over by Maria has got me thinking about the topic of my inquiry. I have been looking at the literature on a few different topics that I felt were gaps in my diagram from Module One, and therefore lacking in my Professional Practice that I would like to know more about. Reading through existing areas of dance scholarship within the book have cemented the areas I am currently looking into however now I need to choose an area to focus on. I am interested in Dance in Education as I am currently teaching dance within the recreation sector however I wish to gain a PGCE in the future to move more into dance within education. Therefore I feel looking at the principles and practice of teaching in schools compared to recreational dance would be a good topic. I am also interested in Dance Science and...

I really enjoyed speaking to Adesola and others from Module 2 on Thursday. I liked the analogy Adesola used about planning the journey when mapping. If you plan to specifically go to straight to a specific address in Paris by boat you will not notice anything else however if you look at the different ways you can go and stop at places on the way you will discover much more. I also found it interesting discussing research designs and what you would call your participants. Giving them gender specific or cultural specific names can cause whoever is reading your research to make an assumption before they even finish reading. On the other hand, giving the participants numbers is dehumanizing. It is definitely something I will be aware of when planning my research and now reading other research. I am looking forward to going through the cycle of mapping a few times to build a better understanding and plan my journey!

It was lovely to discuss synthesis of information through reflection with everyone today in our Skype call. I enjoyed listening to other people thoughts and I have taken a lot away from it. In terms of synthesising information through reflection it was interesting to discuss the depth of refection and what it means to each of us. Reflection opens up a lot of questions; not just if the experience was good or bad but how it has effected us and how we will utilise what we have learnt. It was also noted each person synthesises information through reflection differently. We all discussed one subject today however the way in which we all will reflect on this will be different. It is personal to us and contributes to how we manifest reflection within our Professional Practise.

Being a performer who also teaches I have two disciplines in my Professional Practise to consider ethical considerations and ethical procedure within. I have found it really interesting looking into ethics within the performance industry but being new to teaching I'm finding it more difficult in that discipline. There is a constant war on wages and performers working for less then or sometimes even free. Equity was set up as an ethical procedure within the industry, a union that represents performers and other artists to fight for fair terms and procedures within the workplace. However a lot of company's still go against equity minimum rate of pay. There is a battle when it comes to getting a job; wanting to perform and gain a title within the industry and knowing your worth. Recently I was offered a job performing in small shows over Christmas but with almost 3 weeks of unpaid rehearsals. It was an offer I would have loved to have taken up but unfortunately I'm not in a ...

Slowing mapping out my diagram and planning my essay alongside each other seemed the best idea until I came across my Areas of Learning. I struggled recalling on knowledge I had learnt and how this manifests in my field of practise now. After my tutorial with Maria it became clearer to think back on an experience and not just recall that experience but focus more on the knowledge learnt from it and how it transfers to my Professional Practise now. As a self employed performer who also teaches my approach to knowledge is transdisciplinary. As more than one discipline is being used to contextualise my knowledge. Therefore when thinking of Areas of Learning I was relating to life auditioning as a professional dancer and life teaching. I came up with a few different ideas some are more vague then others.. Throughout private dance classes growing up I always danced in front of a mirror so learnt how to self correct. This was then carried through to today when I attend auditions to watc...

Having never looked into the blogging community I was somewhat naïve as to how much help and communication you can actually gage from it. Being a Module one starter I was floating around through Tutors and other Module one’s blogs, trying to find answers and common ground however during the discussion group with all Modules I was reminded how much knowledge people that have walked in our shoes can provide us with. Networks and communities was a topic up for discussion and how many people can be reached within one. This then clicked in with me that the BAPP is a community or network within itself and through blogging you can not only look through blogs of those in the same position as you but ones that were once in your position seeing their outlook too. I then found myself looking through blogs of different Modules and even past Graduates. I am slowly but surely finding my way through the blogging community!

I am new to starting the BA Professional Practice, Arts and Creative Industries course at Middlesex. Looking forward to starting Module one! I have completed my study plan, mapped out skype sessions and had a good browse on the UniHub page to get to grips with things. Any advice or ideas from those in Module 2 or 3 that you think may help please comment below. It will be greatly appreciated!